Motorsports stumbling out of the blocks

The racing season has officially begun. But it’s off to a really slow start.

First, the NHRA Winternationals concluded a week ago, two days late, after a rain-soaked weekend in Southern California. The pros finished on Tuesday, Feb. 10 and the sportsman races didn’t wind up until the following day.

It was a real mess. TV was all screwed up. I never did see the finals. I don’t know if they were broadcast or not. And, fans are going to have to get use to all the new names and faces in the pro events. Not racing were Doug Herbert, Tommy Johnson Jr., Melanie Troxel, Hot Rod Fuller, J.R. Todd, Hillary Will, David Grubnic, Bob Vandergriff Jr. and Dave Connolly. Among those racing were Andy Carter, Del Cox Jr., Shawn Langdon, Matt Hagan, David Beckley and Richard Jones. Enough said.

That brings us to NASCAR and the Daytona 500. I know the answer, but I’m gonna ask the question anyway: Why did this race not start until 3:30 p.m. (Florida time)? TV, right? If it had started earlier, there would have been no rain-shortened finish. They really out-smarted themselves, because the rain forced the TV ratings down, probably where they would have been if they’d started earlier.

Congratulations to the Denver-based Furniture Row team and driver Regan Smith. A 21st-place finish is worth a slap on the back and raises hopes for the remainder of the season, although the team is not planning on running a full schedule. Maybe the $309,184 payday will change those plans.

And, more congrats to AJ Allmendinger, who finished third. A great showing for the former Denver Grand Prix winner. If the race had run to its scheduled conclusion, he very well might have won. He was running that well. Like many more teams with the same problem, AJ’s Gillett Evernham/Petty Motorsports ride is only part-time until a full sponsor can be found. I’m sure his showing Sunday improved those chances a lot.

And, last but not least: Junior. Was the wreck his fault or Brian Vickers? I’m betting most Junior fans, and there are quite a few, would put the blame on Vickers. It’s like Matt Kenseth (the winner) said on David Letterman Monday night, “Who’s gonna say anything bad about Junior.?”

It reminded me of Dale Sr. and the time he spun out Terry Labonte to win a race at Bristol. After the race he said, “I didn’t mean to wreck him, just rattle his cage a little.” I don’t believe Junior wrecked Vickers on purpose, but he sure didn’t back out of the trottle before making contact. Maybe, he just meant to give him a little nudge.

All in all, a bad day for NASCAR. An incomplete race and Junior getting criticized. It can’t get much worse, right?